SAT® Subject Test in U.S. History

The Berlin Wall

SATUSH-NTKXTF

In August, 1961 the East German government, with the cooperation of the Soviet Union, authorized the construction of the Berlin Wall, serving to escalate Cold War tensions and leaving a city harshly divided for nearly 30 years.

How did the Kennedy Administration react to this decision by the communists?

A

He immediately re-instituted the military draft, which had been inactive since the end of the Second World War.

B

He immediately placed a grain embargo on both East Germany and the Soviet Union, two nations that greatly depended on U.S. grain.

C

He met with both the East German and Soviet leaders and tried to convince them to remove the barrier, yet failed to do so.

D

He ordered the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to devise plans for the removal of both the East German and Soviet leaders.

E

He did not take any direct, immediate action to remove the barrier which would separate the city for decades to come.